Kyle Schafternaar in the 85cc class during Round 2 of the Top End Moto Cross Thumpernats Series. Picture: ELISE DERWIN.Source: News Limited

MOTOCROSS

TEMCC Thumpers

MORE than 60 riders contested Round 2 of the Top End Moto Cross Club’s Thumpernats series at Campbell Park Motocross Track in Palmerston on Sunday.

Riders took part in classes from 65cc to Veterans.

The 65cc class was anyone’s for the taking. Hayden Van De Venter took the day in first place, followed by Thomas Bennett, Lyle Byrne and Jordan Sharpe, who fought it out right until the last race for second position.

The 85cc class was one of the biggest of the day.

Liam Walsh started the day only three points ahead of Navrin Grothues, but took out the win for the day by leading every lap.

Fellow riders Riley Hough and Matthew Davis fought it out with the rest of the riders for the other positions.

The Junior Lites class saw a major battle between leaders Ayden Bridgeford and Liam Walsh. Both battled for first and second in Round 1 and continued their strong rivalry.

In the Pro Lites, points leader Luke Abela battled it out for first all day with Daniel McInnes, followed closely by youngster Matthew Preca.

Pro Open rider Daniel Field took three wins for the day to stay points leader — even after a crash in the last race.

Luke Ellison took the honours in the Intermediate class while Clubman rider Daniel Gooley — in his first year as a senior rider — also had three convincing wins for the day.

Although light on for Veterans riders, Jeremy McInnes managed to win all three races and consolidate his points lead.

Round 3 will be held on May 11.

MOTOR RACING

NAMSC

THE girls showed the boys how it’s done during Round 2 of the North Australian Motor Sports Club championship season at Hidden Valley on ­Sunday.

The day was filled with action from all categories, although the crowd favourite honours went to the Under 2 litre Improved Production ­battle of the girls.

Racing between Eboné Coats in her Holden Gemini and Karla Karpenko in her Toyota Corolla was so tight they had the race secretary on the edge of her seat each race.

The close battles saw the girls switching between first and second nearly every lap.

Karpenko struck trouble in the opening race with an engine misfire but her team and herself were able to sort it before Race 2.

With combined categories on the day of HQ Holden, Commodore Cup, Improved Production Over 2 litre and Under 2 litre, even Barry Smith was able drive his VP Commodore competitively through the slower field.

Top End Drift Association hit the track with 20 cars showing they still know how to slide best. Heath Page was stoked with his day. Making the best of just two sets of tyres — lasting the first two sessions on one set of tyres and blowing the second set on the last lap of the day.

Entries are now open for TEDA Round 2 and the 2014 Shamrock Chemicals Motorkhana Series Round 2, both on April 27.

DRAG RACING

Hidden Valley Drags

THE season opener of the Hidden Valley Drag Racing season was called off on Saturday night due to bad weather.

The day had been fine and hot but as with everything tropical, the weather was forming unseen in the rural areas and racing was going to be affected later on.

A great range of new cars were out for some testing and racing, including a large group of street bikers that had recently attended and raced the test and tune two weeks prior.

By late afternoon a large thunderstorm had steered its way over the valley. Racing continued up until the downpour stopped competition.